Is there an easy way to backup my save for No Man's Sky?

[EatThatPie]

I put like 300 hours into this Normal Save and im worried it could be lost if i ever have to reinstall it or who knows what else.

So how do I make a backup save for this game and how would i be able to use it? I am also worried about messing with the game files and i would hate if i corrupt anything

(I am using the PC version on Steam)

[Dukmiester2]

I'm on Windows 7, and I am assuming it's the same for Win 10, but not 100% sure.

Backup everything located here:

C:\Users\YOUR Windows account\AppData\Roaming\HelloGames\NMS

YOUR Windows account is the log in you use for windows, and is different for everyone.

If you somehow corrupt your save, just delete that entire folder, then restore the entire folder from your backup, should put your game back in order.

[EatThatPie]

kk thx, i just copied the folder itself(which is called st12837594690 or something like that) and i saved it on my desktop so im pretty sure all i have to do is put it in the NMS folder if my game gets corrupted, right?

[Dukmiester2]

Yes, pretty much. If it gets corrupted, I'd first delete the corrupted folder, THEN put the backup back into the NMS folder, else windows may have a popup asking if you want to over-write any files with the same name(s) and I'd prefer to avoid that bit of hassle.

Delete the bad, then put back the backup.

[loganjamesalex]

this game has steam cloud as well

[Lord of Planar]

I just copy it to my USB 3.1 memory and play it on my laptop and tower both. It's one huge folder.

[swingline]

Originally posted by loganjamesalex:

this game has steam cloud as well

^This too I think. I haven't had to restore a save, but I think you'd want to disable steam cloud so the game doesn't default back to that.

[BT]

Originally posted by Lord of Planar:

I just copy it to my USB 3.1 memory and play it on my laptop and tower both. It's one huge folder.

you don't need the cache folder inside so remove it before backing it up.

[Trance]

look here =)

https://steamcommunity.com/app/275850/discussions/0/1746720717356599039/

[farrodhan]

Originally posted by EatThatPie:

kk thx, i just copied the folder itself(which is called st12837594690 or something like that) and i saved it on my desktop so im pretty sure all i have to do is put it in the NMS folder if my game gets corrupted, right?

sorry im necroing this post, im confused, whats the difference between save.hg and mf_save.hg?

[Mr. Bufferlow]

I found this little bat file, it is quick and easy to make and use.

Originally posted by Slayer9292:
After losing my save game, I created this batch file to backup my save simply and easily.

Create a folder somewhere to backup your saves. In that folder create a text file and rename it "NMSBackup.bat". Open it in Notepad and copy the following text. Replace the part with "yourusernamehere" with whatever your windows username is.


echo off

set folder=%date:~10,4%_%date:~4,2%_%date:~7,2%_%time:~0,2%%time:~3,2%
set folder=%folder: =0%
mkdir %folder%

echo %folder% created

xcopy "C:\Users\yourusernamehere\AppData\Roaming\HelloGames\NMS" %folder% /E

Then create a shortcut to this and place it on your desktop (or wherever you want). Run it whenever you want to backup your save. It will create a folder with the current date and time with your save backed up.

This will not only create a backup, but you'll have time stamped backups.

[Weaver]

You also want to backup your GCUSERSETTINGSDATA.MXML file, as that's the cross save file that has all profile save information including expedition unlocks and so forth.

[farrodhan]

Originally posted by Weaver:

You also want to backup your GCUSERSETTINGSDATA.MXML file, as that's the cross save file that has all profile save information including expedition unlocks and so forth.

ah, thanks for that one! I still have one question though, does spending your time to do this to backup your saves worth it? why not use steam backup feature, is it faulty?

[Mr. Bufferlow]

Originally posted by farrodhan:

Originally posted by Weaver:

You also want to backup your GCUSERSETTINGSDATA.MXML file, as that's the cross save file that has all profile save information including expedition unlocks and so forth.

ah, thanks for that one! I still have one question though, does spending your time to do this to backup your saves worth it? why not use steam backup feature, is it faulty?

It worked fine for me for years...my main hard drive fried...and by the time I got things in order...the steam backup was gone. Better to have a back door.

[Weaver]

Originally posted by farrodhan:

Originally posted by Weaver:

You also want to backup your GCUSERSETTINGSDATA.MXML file, as that's the cross save file that has all profile save information including expedition unlocks and so forth.

ah, thanks for that one! I still have one question though, does spending your time to do this to backup your saves worth it? why not use steam backup feature, is it faulty?

The GCUSERSETTINGSDATA.MXML is especially important because that's stuff you can't get back through play, as most of the stuff is time limited rewards. You can only get it back through save editing. I'm not even sure if Steam Cloud saves the info as its actually a local settings file but since NMS was never designed for cross save information it was their solution to the issue. (You can do a search for it on the forums as to how to add any rewards for timed exclusives you might of missed for whatever reasons.)

Steam Cloud is crappy. Not just for NMS. A short dysinc or any connection problems whatsoever can cost you all your work for an extended period.
I turned that crap off after losing an entire 8 hours of work two days in row. Despite the fact my internet was working fine as it was being used for other things as well, despite the game assuring me it was constantly saving, it wasn't You have no way to know if it actually saved until you've fully exited the game and restart it. So you can play Russian roulette with your saves if you want, but not for me.
Another thing to note is on multiple games, if a different Steam Account logs onto that same computer, their cloud data will overwrite what is there because it in many cases doesn't separate save data by steam account but window user.
Steam really doesn't make it a priority to fix the bugs in Steam Cloud because 99% of the time upset players who lose their saves get angry at the game involved and rage at the games developers instead of at Valve for Steam Cloud being buggy.

[Knottypine]

Originally posted by Mr. Bufferlow:

I found this little bat file, it is quick and easy to make and use.

Originally posted by Slayer9292:
After losing my save game, I created this batch file to backup my save simply and easily.

Create a folder somewhere to backup your saves. In that folder create a text file and rename it "NMSBackup.bat". Open it in Notepad and copy the following text. Replace the part with "yourusernamehere" with whatever your windows username is.


echo off

set folder=%date:~10,4%_%date:~4,2%_%date:~7,2%_%time:~0,2%%time:~3,2%
set folder=%folder: =0%
mkdir %folder%

echo %folder% created

xcopy "C:\Users\yourusernamehere\AppData\Roaming\HelloGames\NMS" %folder% /E

Then create a shortcut to this and place it on your desktop (or wherever you want). Run it whenever you want to backup your save. It will create a folder with the current date and time with your save backed up.

This will not only create a backup, but you'll have time stamped backups.

Thanks for sharing that. Been backing up my saves manually, this saves a bit of time. Had to tweak the numbers a bit for my region I guess. But works great!